Television telephone

ABSTRACT

A television telephone including a movable head section, a support section and a bottom section. The movable head section includes an imaging device for inputting images and a display for displaying images. The bottom section includes a communication controller for transmission and reception of encoded information of at least one of audio and visual signals to and from a communication network, and a telephone controller for controlling transmission and reception functions and including a key console unit. The support section serves for connecting the bottom section and the movable head section and for supporting the movable head section and includes an image encoder/decoder for encoding image input signals and for decoding received image signals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a color moving picture televisiontelephone which performs bi-directional simultaneous communication ofvoice, moving picture and data in real time, making use of a high speeddigital communication network, especially to a combination typetelevision telephone including a picture or video codec (coder-decoder)and a communication control circuit.

A color movable picture television telephone apparatus of a priorarrangement has a large video codec unit which is provided separatelyfrom the television telephone body, and both are connected by a cable.Also, a camera and a display are fixed to the body generally with thecamera unit being fixed to the body and directed only toward a specificdirection such that free adjustment of direction is not provided.

Also, the prior apparatus is not adapted for special application, suchas transmission of a document and picture, and the camera is normallyapplied to take a photograph of personal figures. When taking aphotograph of other than personal figures, the prior apparatus is notprovided with a construction, such as stand etc., for supporting acamera with the camera being freely removed by itself. Further, there isan apparatus having a construction providing a plane mirror in front ofthe camera so as to take a photograph of documents and pictures withdocuments or pictures being set on a platform (bottom part), but thecamera has an integrated construction with a display. Fujitsu technicalreport 41. 3; , pp. 243-247 (May, 1990 edition) and Japanese patentapplication No. 2-39790 as well as Japanese patent application laid-openNo. 2-22989, for example, are representative of disclosures of suchapparatus.

Also, as a technique for improving man-machine interface of a colormoving picture television telephone terminal in the prior art, therealizing of an operation supporting function using message indicationfunction is disclosed in the "International Communication Research No.135 (January 1988) page 33, clause 4.1, item 5, issued by the foundationKDD engineering and consulting. Also, the changing of a dip switch or ajumper plug is carried out to adapt for the system registration andsetting and realization of a maintenance function, as described in page34, clause 4.2 of the above literature.

In the prior art as above described, there are problems that mobilityand portability are not considered, and the phase of installation of theapparatus is limited and movement is difficult. Moreover, many cablesare connected to the body, so that the use as a terminal apparatus isnot convenient.

Further, when document information such as documents or photographs istransferred, since documents are held up by hand in front of a camera totake a photograph in accordance with the set position of the cameradirection at the time of conversation, stable transmission of characterswith good fineness is not possible because of movement of the documentdue to hand vibration or the like. Moreover, concerning a televisiontelephone having a looking-down construction at the camera unit, sincethe camera unit is simply directed downwards, the document must be setreversely in the longitudinal direction with respect to the directionviewed by the sender. Therefore, there is a problem in that a sender cannot identify the document simultaneously and naturally. Moreover, withregard to an adjustment mechanism for the heights and angles of thecamera display of the body, there is only one movable point between thebody and the camera display. Therefore, there is a problem in thatarbitrary heights and angles can not be set. Further, the camera unit isalways directed to the user side, and even when pictures are not desiredto be sent (e.g., used as digital telephone), the camera by itsconstruction is operational and thus there is a problem that an image ofbeing watched cannot be removed.

In a picture/voice multiplex transmission mode, a transferring rate ofeach source signal is fixed and only data of certain quality of a voiceor a picture can be transferred. Further, there is no externalinput/output function as a multi-media terminal including all signals ofvoice, picture and data, with only a function as a television telephoneterminal, thereby lacking in extendibility. Also, the function as atelevision telephone terminal always accompanied by picture transmissionis merely realized, not by communication control which can be used as amere digital telephone terminal, and selection of a particular functionamong many functions is lacking.

Additionally, at the color moving picture television terminal in theprior art, firstly, since communication between terminals of the samekind or the same product is only considered, and since many register andsetting items necessary for the color moving picture televisiontelephone terminal are almost all previously registered and set in theterminal, it is therefore hardly necessary that the user frequentlyregister and change the communication mode or the operation of the colormoving picture television telephone terminal. However, according to thevarious developments in the technique and the standardizing activity,the color moving picture television telephone terminal can be connectedto a conventional analog telephone, a digital telephone using digitalcommunication lines, various kinds of television telephone terminals andteleconference terminals, each having many different register andsetting items, so many register and setting items. Secondly, it isnecessary to consider security and concealment in the setting andregister operations from the status of communication terminals. Thirdly,television telephones or television telephone operating members are usedin many cases by being placed on desks, and therefore depending on theuse condition the dimensions of the operating members carrying out theman-machine interfaces are somewhat limited, and the numbers of inputkeys and dimensions of the keys are subjected to the consideration ofmanipulatability. Fourthly, the operating members of televisiontelephones are required to be man-machine interfaces similar tooperating methods for conventional analog telephones due to the statusof telephones, and in order to provide users with increased multiplefunctions comparing to conventional analog telephones without confusion,it is necessary to provide standardized man-machine interfaces. Fifthly,the numbers and domains of characters and figures (pictures) which canbe indicated on the display are finite, and the characters and figuresare indicated on moving pictures with multiplication at the time ofpicture reception and at the time of monitor indication, and thereforeit is necessary to consider the positions of indication and themultiplying method. Sixthly, for the transmission timing of pictures,privacy and security must be considered, and it is necessary to reflectthe intentions of the users in each communication.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide acombination type television telephone solving the above-mentionedproblems and having good convenience, mobility and usage due to theintegration of the television telephone.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination typetelevision telephone in which wirings within the apparatus aresimplified and external connection wirings are reduced.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a combinationtype television telephone which is suitable for transfer of bothpersonal figures and documents or pictures, and for multiple functionsas a multi-media terminal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination typetelevision telephone where the manipulatability and functionextendibility is improved and a man-machine interface similar to that ofa conventional telephone is realized.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide acombination type television telephone which can improve security byclassifying of extended service functions, thereby enabling omission ofmany keys and setting switches, and which can be easily extended.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a combinationtype television telephone which reflects the intention of users totransmit pictures accurately and can protect privacy.

In order to attain the foregoing objects, a television telephone of thepresent invention includes a movable head section having an image inputunit for inputting images and a display for displaying picture signals;a bottom section having a communication control unit for multiplexingcoded information of voices and pictures and for sending and receivingthe information to a communication network, a power supply, and atelephone controller for controlling sending/receiving function and akey panel unit; and a support section including a picture encoding anddecoding unit composed of a picture encoding circuit for encoding imageinput signals and a picture decoding circuit for decoding receivedpicture signals, wherein the support section is provided for connectingand supporting the head section and the bottom section and forsupporting the head section.

The television telephone of the present invention includes acommunication control unit for carrying out multiple separation controlof voices, pictures and digital data and communication control ofdigital communication lines; a key panel unit for inputting selection ofa dial and other functions; a telephone control unit for controllingsending/receiving function and the key panel unit; a camera unit forinputting images; a display unit for outputting images; and a picturecoder codec unit composed of a picture encoding circuit for encodingimage input signals and a picture decoding circuit for decoding receivedpicture signals, wherein each component part of the communicationcontrol unit, the key panel unit, the telephone control unit, the cameraunit, the display unit and the picture coder unit is integrated, andconnection wiring between each component part is carried out within theintegrated device and connection wiring outside the integrated device isprovided in a cord for digital communication lines.

For example, a picture encoding circuit, a picture decoding circuit andan analog image signal processing circuit in a picture codec unit areeach made into LSI, and circuit boards equipped with such LSI are madesmaller to approximately one sheet of A4 size mainly accommodatingsurface package parts, and a communication apparatus control circuit ismade into a one-chip LSI and communication control and telephone controlare mounted on a circuit board of one sheet of A4 size mainlyaccommodating surface package parts. Included with these circuit boards,a small switching source, a small color camera to which 1/2 inch CCD isapplied and a general-purpose liquid crystal display panel of small size(5 inches) are integrated and packaged within one apparatus. Theapparatus is of L-shape, and a circuit board accommodating a powersupply unit, a communication control unit and a telephone control unitis installed at the bottom side of the L-shape apparatus and a circuitboard of a picture codec unit is installed at the longitudinal side ofthe L-shape respectively, and a camera unit and a display unit includinga liquid crystal type panel are mounted on the top side of the L-shape.All connection wirings between each part are accommodated within theapparatus, and only two cords, that is, a cord for commercial powersupply and a cord for digital communication lines are connected to theoutside.

Further, in accordance with another feature of the present invention, acamera unit including a small color camera is moveable downwardly to thefront side independently of a display unit so that the direction of thecamera is set downwards vertically, and a switch is installed at asliding part and is closed when the camera unit starts the downwardmovement independently. Depending on the condition change signals of theswitch, the data output (read out) of a frame memory in a pictureencoding circuit of a picture coder unit is controlled so as to reversethe usual scanning direction from left-upper side to right-down sideinto the direction from right-down side to left-upper side, that is, sothat the sending-out signal becomes point symmetry of 180°. Alsodepending on the condition change signals of the switch, output signalswith the scanning direction reversed are distributed by an imageprocessing circuit and inputted into a partial screen processingcircuit, and a monitor screen is superposed on a part of the receptionscreen displayed on the display unit. A control program is set such thatwhen the camera unit is returned to the original position and thecondition change signal of the switch is received and theabove-mentioned control is stopped, the condition existing before thecamera unit is moved downwardly is restored.

The apparatus is of the present invention is configured in an L-shape,and a camera unit and a display unit are installed on the top side ofthe L-shape, and a joint part is made movable and the bottom side andlongitudinal side of the L-shape are made movable. Further, flexiblecables are applied to connection between units mounted within each part.

According to another feature, a band of 64 kps is divided into 8channels in every 8 kps, and it is set arbitrarily by a program controlto which channel among the 8 channels, each signal of voice, picture anddata should be allotted.

In accordance with the present invention, a general-purpose connector isused as an external input/output terminal and each of a voice inputterminal, a voice output terminal, an image input terminal, an imageoutput terminal, a serial data input/output terminal and a parallel datainput/output terminal is mounted on the rear surface of the body, andvoice input signals and voice signals from a transmitter are inputted toan analog switch of 2 inputs and outputted to a voice input circuit of atelephone control unit, and image input signals are inputted to a videoswitch of 2 inputs and inputted to a picture encoding circuit. Eachroute change is selected by a control key in a key panel unit and routecontrol is effected by a microprocessor on receiving a key signal, and adevice having ability of transferring serial signals is applied to themicroprocessor and a serial signal input/output terminal is connectedthrough an input/output drive circuit to an external serial datainput/output connector, and a data input/output signal terminal of acommunication control unit is connected through the input/output drivecircuit to an external parallel data input/output connector. Receptionvoice signals to the receiver are distributed and connected to the voiceoutput terminal, and reception image signals to the display unit aredistributed and connected to the image output terminal.

The present invention also provides that a video or picture codec unit,a camera unit, a display unit are integrated, and coupled with the bodyincluding a communication control unit, a telephone control unit, apower supply unit by connection of detachable cables, and both can beattached and detached constructionally.

Additionally, to solve the first, the second, the third and the fourthproblems as mentioned above, actual keys are not provided for functionselection, registration and inputting of set items respectively, butrather starting keys for function selection, registration, inputting ofset items and extended service function are directly selected infunction and registered and inputted in set items, preferably in thetelevision telephone operation, with keys allotted by conventionaltelephones and extended telephones are realized by the actual keys.Further, telephone functions and television telephone functions to benewly provided and registration and setting items required in theoperation of the television telephones are indicated by a plurality ofpictures or characters on the display b starting the extended servicefunction, and means for selection by inputting keys corresponding to thearrangement of the plurality of indicated pictures or characters isprovided, ind the number of keys adapted by provision of the extendedservice function or arrangement being composed of selecting meanshierarchically is suppressed to suitable number.

For solving the fifth problem described above, respective indicationareas are provided which are not overlapped, or indications having fewoccasions for overlapping in the operation actually, such as thecommunication operation guidance of a television telephone, the adviceindication, the input confirmation indication, indication by theextended service function and the like, are taken in the same area andutilized with the processing execution limitation and the time dividing.Also for solving the sixth problem, an LED indicating information ofpicture transmission mode with a picture key as an actual key isprovided, and the picture key is inputted during no communication or atthe communication state to disable the picture transmission during thetransmission thereby the picture transmission mode can be changed.Additionally, pictures are transmitted automatically at the automaticpicture transmission mode in the communication state to enable thepicture transmission and pictures are transmitted by inputting thepicture key at the manual picture transmission mode. Also, the picturetransmission mode registered by the extended service function is setagain at the time of finishing the communication.

In accordance with the present invention an extended service function isprovided so that the number of inputs allotted to actual keys orswitches can be reduced a great deal, and inputs of the extended serviceare made stratums, thereby the extension of the keys is also adaptedwithout increase of the actual keys or switches. At the time of contentsconsidering the security in the inputs of the extended service function,enough consideration can be done by carrying out the input check andinput limitation. The number of inputs is reduced a great deal so thatdimensions of the operating members can be suppressed, and the inputkeys at the time of starting the extended service function is suppressedto specific keys, thereby adequately standardized man-machine interfacescan be provided.

When the communication operation guidance of the television telephone,the advice indication, the input confirmation indication and theindication by the extended service function are taken on the same areaand the start keys of the extended service function are inputted, theextended services can be started independently of the communicationperiod or non communication period. However, during the communicationstart processing or when the communication start processing is begun,and during the communication finishing processing or when thecommunication finishing processing is begun, the starting of theextended service function is inhibited, and during the starting, thestarting is compulsorily stopped. Consequently, the communicationoperation guidance, the advice indication, the input confirmationindication and the indication of the extended service function, whichwould concentrate almost during the communication start processing andduring the communication finishing processing, can be utilized in thetime dividing.

The registration of the picture transmission mode and the picture keyare provided and means for indicating information of the picturetransmission mode at present is provided, and in the state to disablethe picture transmission, the picture transmission mode can be changedfreely using the picture key, thereby on confirming the opposite partyby voice or the like, decision can be made as to whether the pictureshould be transmitted or not, and the intention of the user can bereflected. Depending on the use purpose, it is frequently requested thatpictures are transmitted automatically while the pictures can betransmitted. Then the automatic transmission mode can be previouslyregistered by the extended service function. Also in this case, thetransmission rejection of pictures in every communication becomespossible by input of the picture key, and the picture transmission moderegistered at the time of finishing the communication is set again,thereby a request for versatile picture transmission can be dealt with.

These and further objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more obvious from the following description whentaken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show forpurposes of illustration only, several embodiments in accordance withthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is generally a perspective view of an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation sequence of an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention whentransferring document/picture information;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the document picture transmission functionof an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operation sequence duringdocument/picture transmission;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the reading-out direction during a normalstate and during document/picture transfer of a frame memory;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 shows a key panel unit arrangement of an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the internal construction of an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram for a high speed wide band type televisiontelephone as an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 shows an example of three-partner communication with acombination of an external voice apparatus and an external imageapparatus as an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a separation type television telephone asan embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are side views of a separation type televisiontelephone of an embodiment of the invention showing connectionarrangements;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are views of a separation type television telephone ofan embodiment of the invention showing connection arrangements;

FIG. 16 is a diagram for a still picture transmission system in apicture codec unit of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 17 is a diagram of another still picture transmission system in apicture codec unit of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 18 shows a mounting arrangement of a communication controlsubstrate of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20 shows the screen arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 21 shows the monitor screen arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 22 shows a screen for indication of operation guidance of atelevision telephone, input confirmation and advice according to theinvention;

FIGS. 23A-23F show examples of screens for indication of operationguidance of a television telephone, input confirmation and adviceaccording to the invention;

FIG. 24 shows the screen arrangement for indication of extended serviceaccording to the invention;

FIGS. 25A-25D show examples of screens for indication of extendedservice according to the invention;

FIG. 26 shows a television telephone key input unit according to theinvention;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing key input allotting processing accordingto the invention;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing key input processing according to theinvention;

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing the start, stop and processing executionlimitation conditions of extended service function according to anoperation state of a television telephone according to the invention;

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing processing corresponding to a picture keyaccording to the invention; and

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing hour/communication time indicationprocessing according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings FIG. 1 shows the construction of acombination type television telephone of the present invention which hasan L-shape. In FIG. 1, a head section, that is, a top side of theL-shape has a display portion 11 and a camera portion 12. Also, asupport section, that is, the longitudinal side of the L-shapeconfiguration has a picture codec portion unit 13 including a pictureencoding circuit and a picture decoding circuit, and a picture codecsubstrate 14. Further, a bottom section (base), that is, the bottom sideof the L-shape has a communication apparatus control substrate 15including a communication control circuit and a telephone controlcircuit, a key panel portion 16 including a telephone function key, atelevision telephone control key and an indication key, a power supplyunit 17, a body 18 with external input/output terminals and a handset19.

The block diagram constitution of the combination type televisiontelephone of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 2. A cameradisplay unit 21 includes a camera unit 21a and a display unit 21b. Apicture codec unit 22 includes a character superposition circuit 22a, avideo switch circuit 22b, an image output circuit 22c, an indicationprocessing circuit 22d for controlling indication system of anindication screen of the display unit, an image input circuit 22e, apicture decoding circuit 22f for reproducing received digital picturesignals as image signals, and a picture encoding circuit 22g fortransforming the image signals outputted from 22e to digital signalsinto the communication control unit. A key panel unit 23 is constitutedby an LED indication control circuit 23a, a television telephonefunction key control circuit 23b, and a dial key control circuit 23c. Acommunication control unit 24 is constituted by a multiplex separationcontrol circuit 24a, an ISDN user network interface control circuit 24b,a microprocessor 24c for controlling every part within the apparatus, atransmission/reception control circuit 24d, a holding function controlcircuit 24e, a clock circuit 24f, a speaker 24g, a sounder 24h forgenerating signal tones, and an analog switch circuit 241. A powersupply unit 25 obtains commercial power from the outside through acommercial source plug 20, and supplies constant voltage to the units21, 22 and 24. A handset 26 is connected through a cable to the body.There is also provided an ISDN user network interface line connectionpart 27, a parallel data input/output terminal 28, and a serial datainput/output terminal 29 which is mounted as an input/output connectoron the body.

Color image signals obtained from the camera unit 21a are outputted tothe video switch 22b. The video switch 22b is controlled by themicroprocessor 24c, and selects the external image input signal or theimage signal of the character superposition circuit 22a and outputs theselected signal to the image input circuit 22e. The image input circuit22e distributes and outputs the output signals of the video switch 22bto the indication processing circuit 22d and the picture encodingcircuit 22g respectively. Image signals inputted to the picture encodingcircuit 22g are encoded to digital picture signals compressed at thedata transfer rate suitable for transmission band of communication linesaccording to the system based on the CCITT recommendation H. 261 at thepicture encoding circuit 22g, and then are outputted to the signalmultiplex separation circuit 24a. Accordingly, camera image signals orexternal image input signals are selected, and the selected signals aresent out as digital picture signals to the ISDN user network interface.

Digital picture signals outputted from the picture signal system outputterminal of the signal multiplex separation control circuit 24a areinputted to the picture decoding circuit 22f, and decoded to analogimage signals in a manner opposite to the operation of the pictureencoding circuit 22g according to the system based on the CCITTrecommendation H. 261, and then are outputted to the image outputcircuit 22c. The indication processing circuit 22d transforms imagesignals (sent-out image signals) being outputted from the image inputcircuit 22e into a mirror image or screen in point symmetry rotated by180°, and then outputs this image to the image output circuit 22c. Theindication processing circuit 22d is controlled by the microprocessor24c, and selects the type of the screen transformation. The image outputcircuit 22c inputs image signals outputted from the picture decodingcircuit 22f and outputs such signals to the character superpositioncircuit 22a, and is controlled by the microprocessor 24c and selects andoutputs the partial screen indication and the normal full screenindication. In addition, the picture being outputted to the partialscreen area is an output signal of the indication processing circuit22d.

The character superposition circuit 22a inputs image signals outputtedfrom the image output circuit 22c and outputs such signals to thedisplay unit 21b and carries out the screen indication, and iscontrolled by the microprocessor 24c and superposes registered figures,characters or the like on the output image signals of the image outputcircuit 22c and carries out the screen indication. Thereby, the receiveddigital picture signals are decoded and reproduced as analog imagesignals, and moving pictures are displayed on the display unit. In thescreen indication, monitor or figure/character indication is possible bya partial screen.

The signal multiplex separation control circuit 24a has input/outputfunction of digital signals in three systems, voice, picture and data,and multiplexes digital signals of these three systems and sends them asdigital signals corresponding to 2B (2×64 kbps), and receives digitalsignals corresponding to 2B and separates them into digital signals inthe above-mentioned three systems. Further, as the signal transfer ratein each system can be set arbitrarily in the range with the sum of ratescorresponding to 2B, that is, less than 128 kbps, for example,bi-directional multiplex communication control with the transfer ratevariable including the combination of transfer of voice signal 56 kbps,transfer of picture signal 64 kbps and transfer of data signal 8 kbpsbecomes possible. The transfer system carries out communication controlby the system based on the CCITT recommendation H. 221 and H. 242.

Further, the function control of the picture codec unit 22 and thelighting control of the LED indication control circuit 23a and theswitch control of the video switch 22b and the analog switch circuit 24iare controlled by the microprocessor 24c.

The ISDN user network interface control circuit 24b has an output/inputsignal terminal to the input/output terminal corresponding to 2B of thesignal multiplexer separation control circuit 24a and an input/outputterminal for ISDN user network interface, inputs the digital signalscorresponding to 2B involving each of signals of voices, pictures anddata multiplexed at the circuit 24a, multiplexes D-channel (16 kbps)signals being line control signals, outputs signals corresponding toISDN fundamental interface 2B+D into the network, inputs signalscorresponding to 2B+D from the network, and separates signalscorresponding to 2B and outputs them to the circuit 24a. Communicationcontrol for call to, connection with and release etc. for the partnerside terminal connected through the network is controlled by the ISDNuser network interface control circuit 24b applying the D-channelsignals.

The microprocessor 24c has a microprogram in memory, and carries out thefunction control of the picture codec unit 22 through the signalmultiplex separation control circuit 24a, the input/output control ofthe key panel unit 23, and hardware control, that is, setting andconfirming of the multiple separation control of three signals ofvoices, picture and data by 24a etc., and also carries out man-machineinterface control, that is, message output onto the screen etc. A voicesignal processing circuit 24d inputs voice signals from the signalmultiples separation control circuit 24a and decodes analog voicesignals and outputs them to the analog switch circuit 24i, and encodesanalog voice signals inputted from circuit 24i and outputs digital voicesignals to circuit 24a. A hold tone generating circuit 24e outputs holdtones to its own terminal receiver and a partner terminal receiver ifthe holding state is set during communication. A clock circuit 24foutputs data of the present date and the present time, and informs themicroprocessor 24c of the parameter showing the time and carries out thepresent time indication and the communication time indication. Also, aspeaker 2g is provided and when a speaker key installed on the key panelis pushed down or depressed, the circuit 24d receives control of themicroprocessor 24c and sets the voice signal output route to the speakeroutput and outputs the received tones to the speaker 24g. There is alsoprovided a sounder 24h for generating calling tones, and a circuit 24iswitches sent signals or external voice input signals according tocontrol of the microprocessor 24c when the voice switching key installedon the key panel is pushed down, and selects the signal source andoutputs it to the circuit 24d.

FIG. 3 shows the operation sequence when two sets of combination typetelevision telephones according to the present invention are used andthe following describes the communication procedure and every functionaloperation for carrying out the voice/picture communication. Thetelevision telephones A and B are on the sides of sending end andreceiving end respectively. Each apparatus is connected to an ISDN usernetwork interface, and carries out communication therebetween throughthe network. Fine arrow mark shows the communication control byD-channel signals, and thick arrow mark shows that by B-channel signals.

First, the user picks up the handset at the television telephone A andhooks off, and dials the television telephone B so as to initiate theconnection therebetween through the network. Call setting control iscarried out by the D-channel signal at the ISDN user network interface,and call control of the television telephone B is carried out throughthe network and the call tone is outputted to the receiver of thetelevision telephone A. The other user picks up the handset on the Bside and hooks off, and sends out the answer signal from the B side tothe network and from the network to the A side, and connects the first Bchannel and controls so as to establish the condition ready for voicecommunication.

Thereafter, in order to carry out picture communication, the camera keyinstalled on the key panel at the A side is pushed down, thereby thesecond B channel is connected following the procedure by the D-channelsignal similar to the preceding first B channel connection. Under suchcondition, on the second B channel, setting and confirmation of thepicture encoding and decoding capability etc. of the A and B terminalsare carried out, and picture signals are transferred from the A side tothe B side, and the received picture signal is decoded at the B side anddisplayed on the display unit. The camera key is pushed down on the Bside as well, a picture signal provided by encoding the camera imagesignal on the B side is transferred by the second B channel. Thisresults in obtaining voice/picture communication including the movingpicture mutually and simultaneously between the television telephones Aand B.

In each television telephone, a picture for sending-out is registeredand set by microprogram to be connected up to the second B channelautomatically without using key operation, and can be raised up to thevoice/picture communication condition without the control key operation.When the camera key is pushed down again during the voice/picturecommunication, the sending-out of the camera image signal is therebystopped from that time, and operation is effected without the pictureindication on the display unit of the television telephone at thepartner side. When the holding key installed on the key panel is pusheddown during the voice/picture communication, hold tones are thereby sentout by the first B channel and hold pictures (still pictures at the timeof the holding key turn-on) are sent out by the second B channelrespectively to the television telephone at the partner side, and in thetelevision telephone on the side of carrying out the holding operation,hold tones are outputted to the receiver and hold pictures are outputtedand displayed to the display unit. When the holding key is pushed downagain under the holding condition, the voice/picture communicationcondition before the holding operation is thereby recovered.

When the high speed mode key installed on the key panel is pushed downduring the voice/picture communication, use of the screen fineness andthe encoding transformation speed in the encoding circuit of the picturecodec unit as parameters, two kinds previously registered picturequality (moving picture of rough quality at high speed and movingpicture of high quality at low speed etc.) are selected, and the picturequality to be sent out can be changed. Also, when a freeze key installedon the key panel is pushed down during the voice/picture communication,sent out pictures are stopped at the time of operating the freeze key,and the pictures under that condition are sent out as still pictures.Further, when the freeze key is pushed down again, the still picturesent-out condition is released, and the voice picture communicationcondition in the previous moving picture is recovered.

When the television telephone A or B performs on-hook with the handsetreturned to the body during the voice-picture communication, theprocedure for communication disconnection and release is carried out inthe D channel, and the communication is finished. At the time ofcommunication finishing, a picture display indicating the finishing iscarried out in each display unit at the A side and the B side, and theinitial condition is recovered. As to the communication finishingprocedure, irrespective of whether the A side or the B side is on-hookedearlier, the processing is performed automatically.

FIG. 4 shows a document/picture transfer mode of thetelevision/telephone of the present invention with FIG. 5 showing ablock diagram of the apparatus and FIG. 6 showing the operationsequence. When the camera unit is moved downwardly to the front side ofthe apparatus and the camera direction is set downwards vertically, aswitch mounted on the support section of the camera unit is turned on,and the setting of the camera position to the document picturetransmission mode is informed to a microprocessor 53 at the body side.The camera unit has a photographing area 47b of the document 47a and thedirection of reading-out (data sending-out) of a frame memory in anencoding circuit 56c of a picture codec unit is set in point symmetry of180° with respect to the normal state of the picture and is sent out,and the partial picture indication is displayed automatically on thedisplay and further it is controlled to be in point symmetry of 180° andis outputted to the display 57 wherein it is displayed in superposedform as a picture 48-in-picture 49, as shown in FIG. 4.

The normal read-out direction of the frame memory and the read-outdirection of the frame memory at the time of sending out the picture inpoint symmetry of 180° during the document picture transfer are shown inFIG. 7. A camera image 621 is provided and there is provided a beginningpoint 622 of image signals and an end point 623 thereof. A frame memory624 stores digital signals after A/D conversion of the image signals.The camera image 621 is scanned sequentially from the beginning point622 to the end point 623, and sequentially written into the frame memory624.

According to this embodiment, since the camera which is utilized forconventional conversation can be also used commonly as a camera fordocuments and pictures, and the reversed photographing image due to thelooking-down to the front side position of the camera can beautomatically corrected by the picture codec section, there are effectsin that the sender need not take the trouble to set the document withthe top and the bottom reversed, but can confirm the document placednaturally.

Even if documents are not properly placed, a holder is mounted under thecamera so that patterns and messages selected voluntarily by the usercan be set. Therefore there are effects in that when the televisiontelephone is used only in the telephone function, the user can use itwithout consciousness of the camera and without anxiety of beingwatched. Also there are effects in that by simple operation of replacingdocuments in the form of message cards, not only the securely fixedmessages can be transferred to the partner, but also test patterns maybe set and picture quality tests by transmission of picture signalsthrough the picture codec unit can be carried out easily. As the cameraunit has a camera unit mounting mechanism where the camera can be tiltedsolely to the rear side, the display is turned downwards and thediffused reflection of the display due to the external light isprohibited and the screen indication can be easily viewed.

FIG. 8 is a rear surface appearance view of a combination typetelevision telephone of the present invention. The television telephoneobtains commercial power source of AC, such as 100V as a power source todrive the apparatus from the outside through a commercial power sourcecord 72, and carries out the ON/OFF operation of the power source by apower source switch 71. An interface 79 for communication is provided,which carries out the connection with an exclusive cord and is in thecord connected condition normally. There is also provided a voice inputterminal 73 to which voice signals (e.g., voice signals of a taperecorder) can be inputted through the exclusive cord; a voice outputterminal 74 which is connected to an external speaker or the likethrough the exclusive cord, and can output and monitor received tones inparallel; an image input terminal 75 to which image signals (e.g.,television image signals, external camera image signals) can be inputtedthrough the exclusive cord; an image output terminal 76 which isconnected to a television receiver or the like through the exclusivecord, and can output and monitor received pictures in parallel; a serialdata input/output terminal 77 which is connected to a cable withconnector of RS-232C interface, and can carry out serial digital datatransfer with a personal computer or the like; and a parallel datainput/output terminal 78 which is connected to a cable with connector ofan exclusive digital interface, and can carry out control and link of anexclusive peripheral apparatus. Since the external input/outputinterfaces are all mounted to the rear surface of the body as shown inFIG. 8, when they are connected with external apparatuses, variouswiring cords are assembled on the rear surface of the body and do notbecome complicated, and therefore system enlargement due to the clearwiring can be realized. Further, the picture codec unit is provided withopenings such as slots 80 at the upper and lower portions thereof whichenable cooling of such unit by natural circulation air flowtherethrough.

FIG. 9 is an appearance view of a key panel unit of a combination typetelevision telephone of the present invention. In order to facilitatethe functional dividing, various keys are classified into three kinds ofareas, that is, telephone function key 81, television telephone controlfunction key 82 and dial key 83, and are positioned accordingly. In thetelevision telephone control function key area 82, several functions areprovided, that is, voice switching (A-SW), image switching (V-SW),picture quality switching (high quality), freeze and camera, in order torecognize the setting state in each function, LEDs for indication aremounted on the sharp head of the key unit so that the user can confirmthe condition of each function easily. A power source ON/OFF indicationlamp 84 is lit with the power source switch 71 being turned on, and isput out with the switch 71 being turned off or without power supply.Also a call incoming indication lamp 85 flashes with output of callingtone at the time of call incoming.

FIG. 10 shows the connection construction of the television telephonefor the body with each of the camera unit, the display unit and thepicture codec unit. A base section 92 located on the rear side of thebody (bottom section/base section) 91 is a base member which isintegrated with the body and supports the upper members over the picturecodec unit 95. A parallelogram support member 94 mounted to the picturecodec unit has a construction in which two points below are mountedmovably on two positions of the base, and move so that angle of anadjustment member 97 of the camera unit and the display unit becomesconstant. When the picture codec unit is tilted forwards, a supportmember 98 moves so as to narrow the distance of longitudinal sides, andthe upper side moves with its angle constant. Thereby as the supportmember for the camera unit and the display unit fixed to the upper sidemoves holding the constant angle, the heights of the surface of thecamera unit and the display unit can be regulated, the angle being heldconstant.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a combination type television telephone ofthe present invention, for a high speed and wide band, being applicableto n×2B communication line capacity, where a data multiplex separationcontrol circuit for carrying out multiplex separation of the signal of2B at the ISDN fundamental interface 2B+D into signals of three kinds,voices, pictures and data, is made LSI, and with n pieces of the LSIs inparallel, a line input/output buffer is installed at an ISDN interfaceand a signal input/output buffer is installed at three sorts of datainput/output interfaces respectively, and these buffers are madecontrollable by a microprocessor MPU.

As shown in FIG. 11, there is provided a line input/output buffer 101, adata multiplex separation LSI 102, a signal input/output buffer 103, amicroprocessor 104, a data port 105, a picture encoding circuit 106a, apicture decoding circuit 106b, a camera 106c, a display 106d, atelephone control unit 107, a handset 108, and a data input/outputcircuit 109. The line input/output buffer carries out signalinput/output control of n×2B for an ISDN user network interface, andcarries out multiplex separation control of n lines of data in 2B unit,and further corrects phase differences of signals of every B channel andis joined with LSI in 2B unit. LSIs 1-n separate-the three kinds ofsignals of voices, pictures and data from the 2B signals and outputthem, and input the three kinds of signals of voices, pictures and dataand carry out the data multiplexing of signals of 2B. The signalinput/output buffer inputs n lines of signals in three kinds, that is,voices, pictures and data, from n pieces of LSIs connected in parallel,and transforms the data of these n lines to one line of serial signalconcerning voices, pictures, data and outputs the signal to each port ofthree lines, and transforms rates of each line of serial signals ofvoice, picture and data being inputted to each port of three lines, andoutputs them as n lines of parallel signals to n pieces of LSIsconnected in parallel. Therefore the sum of each transfer rate of voicesignals, picture signals and data signals becomes n ×2B. For example, ifn=5, bidirectional simultaneous communication by respective transferrates of voice signal 128 kbps, picture signal 384 kbps and data signal128 kbps is possible.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of system constitution as a double televisiontelephone system, where a combination type television telephone of thepresent invention is used as a parent apparatus with voice and pictureinput/output terminals. A television telephone 110 according to thepresent invention is provided and external units include a camera 111, aspeaker 112, a monitor 113, and a telephone 114. Numeral 115 designatesa user A, numeral 116 designates a user B, numeral 117 designates a userC, and numeral 118 designates an ISDN network.

For the reception of image/voice signals, a monitor with speaker havinga general voice/image input function is used, and the voice and imageoutput terminals of the television telephone are connected by theexclusive cord, and the image and voice signals being received by theuser A at the television telephone side can be also confirmed by theuser B simultaneously and in parallel by a monitor and a speaker. Alsofor transmission of image/voice signals, video camera output signals areconnected to image input terminals by the exclusive cable, and amicrophone or a telephone with voice output terminal is connected withvoice input terminals. By switching the external image, voice inputsystem by the user A, voice and image signals of either the user A orthe user B are transferred to the communication destination user Cthrough the ISDN network. Thereby the communication among three persons(one to two) can be realized.

FIG. 13 is a block construction diagram of a separation type televisiontelephone as an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment,the television telephone is separated into a picture apparatus section121 and a communication control section 124, and respective sections areconnected by the exclusive connecting cable 126. In the pictureapparatus section, camera image signals are transformed to digitalsignals by the encoding circuit 121C and connected to the connector part122, and received picture signals are taken by the same connector 122and connected to the decoding circuit 121d. Digital signals aretransformed to analog image signals in the decoding circuit andoutputted to the display section, and the screen indication is carriedout on the display unit. The source voltage is supplied from thecommunication control unit to the picture apparatus section by the sameconnector, and interfaces between both units are all collected to thesame connectors 122 and 123. In the communication control unit,multiplex separation control of picture signals and voice signals iscarried out by the communication control circuit 124a, and the ISDN usernetwork interface control is carried out. In the transmission/receptioncontrol circuit 124c, transformation between voice digital signals andanalog voice signals is carried out and the telephone function by thehandset is realized. Also the power supply circuit 124c supplies thesource voltage to the communication control unit and through theconnector to the picture apparatus section respectively.

FIGS. 14A shows the coupling between the picture apparatus section andthe communication control unit. The picture apparatus section iscomposed of a camera display unit 131 and a picture codec unit 132attached to a coupling unit 135 of the picture apparatus section havinga concave construction and installed on the rear upper surface part ofthe body 133 which includes the communication control unit. The pictureapparatus section and the body 133 are coupled by a connecting cable134. Thereby a combination type television telephone is formed wherepicture apparatus units 131, 132 are detachable from the body 133easily.

When the picture apparatus section is removed and the apparatus is usedas a digital telephone simply, transmission and reception of voicesignals only are controlled at the communication control unit, andtransmission and reception of picture signals are controlled by amicroprocessor in the communication control circuit so that multiplexseparation control is not carried out. In this case, a handset isprovided. When the apparatus is used as a digital telephone, instead ofthe picture apparatus section, an indication unit 137 for a digitaltelephone, as shown in FIG. 14B, is attached to the body 133, and bothare connected by the coupling cable and information necessary fortelephone function is indicated by characters and figures thereon.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are perspective views of the present invention as adigital telephone 141 and as a television telephone 142, respectively.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are explanation diagrams of three kinds of still picturetransmission systems in a picture codec unit of the present invention.Camera images are inputted to a picture encoding circuit of the picturecodec unit, and are inputted as picture signals having the number ofpicture elements 256×352 to a frame memory. 256 is the dot number in thelongitudinal direction of the screen, and 352 is the dot number in thelateral direction thereof. In the transmission mode A, picture signalshaving the number of picture elements 256×352 are encoded, and picturedata are transferred and decoded at the receiving side and arereproduced to pictures having the number of picture elements 256×352.The picture element size is (1/256)×(1/352). In the transmission mode B,picture signals having the number of picture elements 256×352 areencoded using the picture element size being four times as large as thatof the mode A, i.e., the picture element size of (1/128)×(1/176) asunit, and picture data are transferred and decoded at the receiving sideand are reproduced to pictures having the number of picture elements128×176. According to the still picture transmission systems of bothmodes, the still picture transmission having convenient usages can berealized corresponding to the two cases, that is, when fine pictures aretransmitted with good fidelity and when pictures with less fidelity aretransmitted rapidly to the opposite party. As shown in FIG. 7, thetransmission mode C, the screen is equally divided longitudinally andlaterally into four areas and each of areas 1 to 4 is made a sheet ofpicture, and as in the transmission mode B, it is sequentially encodedto picture signals having the number of picture elements 128×176 anddecoded at the receiving side, and then a sheet of still picture havingthe number of picture elements 256×352 is reproduced by transmission ofcontinuous picture signals four times from area 1 to area 4. Therebyfine pictures can be transmitted with fidelity and rapidly and theconvenience of usage in the still picture transmission is improved.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing parts mounting arrangement of acommunication control substrate of a combination type televisiontelephone of the present invention. The arrangement of a circuit isdivided into an ISDN user network interface control circuit unit 1601, asignal multiplex separation control circuit unit 1602, a microprocessorunit 1603, a transmission/reception control circuit unit 1604, analogand digital input/output circuit units 1606, 1607, and a peripheralcircuit unit 1605 such as a clock circuit, a battery circuit or thelike, and each part is located so that the signal system becomes simpleand has shortened length of wiring as shown by the arrow marks in thefigure. The signals are represented by 1660a-2B+D transmission/receptionsignal; 1600b-2B+D transmission/reception signal; 1600c-2B transmissionsignal; 1660d-control signal; 1660e-voice transmission/reception signal;and 1660f-picture transmission/reception signal. Further, on one side ofperiphery of the substrate 1600, each input/output terminal of voice,picture, serial and parallel data, and further terminals for ISDN usernetwork interface are mounted, and external input/output terminals arelocated to be collected together to the back of the televisiontelephone. Switches are located to be collected at the right-uppercorner. A switch mounted on the right side of the substrate is theswitch 1617 for the adjustment of volume of the sounder and sound tone,and is mounted on the side surface of the television telephone so thatusers can change the setting. Moreover, the DIP switch 1616 is a switchfor ON/OFF operation of the memory back-up circuit, and it is mounted tobe located in the interior of the television telephone for it is notused normally. Further, on the substrate 1600, the functions ofcommunication control, man-machine interface control and digitaltelephone are mounted on a sheet of substrate by the front and backmounting, and are integrated to one body. Moreover, the handset terminal1615 (modular Jack) is mounted on the left side of the substrate so asto mount the handset on the left side of the apparatus.

FIG. 19 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention in blockdiagram form. As shown, a camera display unit 221 includes a camera unit221a and a display unit 221b. A picture encoding and decoding unit 222includes circuits 222a to 222h, wherein a video input switch unit 222achanges image input from the camera unit 221a and external image input229b by a signal line 220a, and supplies an image output to ananalog/digital conversion unit 222b. In the analog/digital conversionunit 222b, image signals are varied to digital signals, and then only aneffective area only is taken and outputted to a picture encoding unit222c and a monitor picture multiplex control unit 222d. In the pictureencoding unit 222c, picture information is compressed by the encodingprocessing, and the picture encoding information is outputted to asignal multiplex distribution circuit unit 223b. A picture decoding unit222f decodes picture encoding signals distributed from received signalsin the signal multiplex distribution circuit 223b, and reproducesdigital picture signals. In the monitor picture multiplex control unit222d, digital picture information outputted by the analog/digitalconversion unit 222b is read in one or plural screens to a memory 222eby a control signal 220d, and the information stored in the memory 222ematched with the timing of the decoding digital picture signalsoutputted by the picture decoding unit 222f is read out in pictureelements every one element or every two elements and is overlaid with orreplaced by the information of the decoding digital picture signalsoutputted by the picture decoding unit 222f, thereby the monitorindication indicating a screen or a reduced screen of input signals onthe display is realized. Digital picture signals outputted by themonitor picture multiple control unit 222d are inputted to adigital/analog conversion unit 222g and converted into analog imagesignals and then outputted to a character figure indicationsuperposition unit 222h. The character figure indication superpositionunit 222h is constituted by character figure information superpositionLSIs and extracts the timing information from the image signals beinginputted, and information of commanded characters or figures at theposition commanded by a control signal 220e according to the programcontrol of the television telephone control unit 223c is overlaid withor replaced by the image signals, thereby the character figureindication is carried out to the display 221b.

A communication control unit 223 includes circuits 223ato 223f wherein anetwork interface control unit 223a is connected to a network signalinput/output terminal 229a, and according to control of a televisiontelephone control unit 223c and procedure provided by the network, oneor plural information transmission channels controlled by the networkare connected to a terminal of the opposite party and the communicationprocessing is carried out. A bidirectional control signal 220g transmitscontrol information with the network interface control unit 223a andprocessing information. A signal multiplexing distributing circuit unit223b multiplexes the picture encoding information, the voice encodinginformation and the control information to one or plural channels amongthe information transmission channels controlled by the network andoutputs the information to the network interface control unit 223a, andseparates the picture encoding information, the voice encodinginformation and the control information from one or plural channelsamong the information transmission channels controlled by the network.The picture encoding information separated by the signal multiplicationdistributing circuit 223b is outputted to the picture decoding unit 222fand decoded, and the voice encoding information is outputted to atelephone control unit 223e and decoded, and further the controlinformation is outputted to a television telephone control unit 223c andbecomes control decision information of the television telephone controlunit 223c. The television telephone control unit 223c is constituted bya microprocessor a ROM and a RAM and can execute the processing inmultitask by several control programs, and has information processingfunction of interpreting the inputted information and controlling eachcomponent of the television telephone.

The telephone control unit 223e controls the telephone interface of thetelevision telephone, sends and receives voice signals with a handset224, carries out encoding and decoding processing of voice signals,sends and receives encoding voice signals with the signal multiplexingdistributing circuit 223b, supervises a hook switch 225 and detectson-hook and off-hook and informs the television telephone control unit223c, controls voice outputs to a speaker 226, and controls a key matrix227 and detects key inputs and informs the television telephone controlunit 223c. Also an external voice input 229d and external voice output229c are changed with voice signal of the handset 224 and controlledaccording to control from the television telephone unit 223C. A clockcircuit unit 223f is constituted by a clock function LSI having timermeasuring function and a power source backup battery, and has functionof clocking irrespective of ON/OFF of the power source and can read thehour always by control signal 220f. The timer function is subjected tothe ON/OFF control from the television telephone control unit 223c, andthe television telephone control unit 223c can always read the timervalue and be set again by control signal 220f. Further, a power source228 supplies power to the camera display unit 221, the picture encodingand decoding unit 222 and the communication control unit 223.

Referring to FIG. 20, a screen construction of a color moving picturetelevision telephone of the present invention will be explained whereina display screen 231 is an area in which the indication is possible bythe display, and in this embodiment, an area to be indicated actually isprovided within the area. In a decoding image screen 232, movingpictures sent from the opposite party are indicated. In a monitorpicture screen 233, a full size screen or a reduced screen of the inputimage signal screen to be encoded is indicated. In an indication screen234 for television operation guidance, input confirmation and advice,operation support during operation of a telephone and a televisiontelephone is indicated. In an extended service function indicationscreen 235, indication for providing extended service function andindication of pictures representing function selection and itemscorresponding to a part of dial keys are carried out by ion andcharacter display. Numeral 236 designates a position of a visual point.From the screen 232 to the screen 235, since the indication on a nearerposition from the visual point is superposed with higher priority, ifthe character indication is carried out on the screen 234, the characteris indicated as if it were overlaid on the screen 232. Consequently,when the monitor picture is indicated on the full area of the screen233, the screen 232 cannot be seen.

FIG. 21 shows construction of a monitor picture screen. The monitorpicture screen is constituted by a monitor full screen 241 and a monitorpartial screen 242, and a full size screen and a reduced screen of thescreen of input image signals being encoded and transmitted areindicated respectively, and the screen registered by the registeringfunction of the extended service function is indicated by input of themonitor key.

FIG. 22 shows an indication screen for operation guidance of atelevision telephone, input confirmation and advice. In anhour/communication time indication screen 251, the present hour isindicated in HH:MM form during non communication, and the communicationtime is in form of MM min SS sec during the communication. A screen 52indicates operation guidance of a television telephone, inputconfirmation and advice.

FIGS. 23A-23F show indication examples of screens for indication ofoperation guidance of a television telephone, input confirmation andadvice. In a normal screen 261, the hour indication only is carried outwhen the extended service function is not started during nocommunication (FIG. 23A). Numeral 262 designates a call originatingscreen in which a dial input promotion guidance 262a is indicated if theoff-hook operation of elevating the handset is carried out at the normalscreen state 261 (FIG. 23B). Numeral 263 designates a call originatingscreen in which a dial input confirmation indication 263a is indicatedif the dial input is carried out at the call originating screen (FIG.23C). At a lapse of 4 seconds after the dial input, decision of the dialinput end is effected and the call originating is requested to thenetwork. When the request of call originating is recognized in thenetwork and advice of the opposite party being called is received, thescreen becomes a calling screen 264 and a calling advice screen 264a isindicated (FIG. 23D). If the opposite party responds to the calling, thescreen becomes a communication screen 265 and a communication timeindication 265a only is indicated (FIG. 23E). Also if the call incomingis detected in the normal screen 261, the screen becomes a call incomingscreen and a call incoming advice indication 266a is carried out (FIG.23F).

FIG. 24 shows construction of an extended service indication screen. Inan extended service function states indication area 271, stratum of theextended service function formed in stratums is indicated by pictures orfigures selected at the forward stratum by one. An extended serviceindication area 272 indicates extended service function operationguidance and functions and items to be selected. A key correspondencepicture indication area 273 indicates pictures representing functionsand items to be selected when the corresponding dial key is inputted. Anextended service advice indication area 274 is used as an indicationscreen in the case of necessitating the advice indication, for example,when the extended service is started and the call incoming is detected.

FIGS. 25A-25D shows examples of extended service screens. In FIG. 25A,numeral 281 designates an extended service function start screen inwhich if the extended service start key is inputted at the startenabling state, it is detected in the telephone control unit 223e andinformed to the television telephone control unit 223c and interpretedand the extended service function processing is started as one of pluralprocessings of the television telephone control unit 223c and the screen281 representing the function with the highest stratum is indicated.Numeral 281a designates a telephone directory function picture and thisposition corresponds to "1" of the dial key, and if the dial "1" isinputted, the telephone directory function processing is started.Numeral 281b designates a register function picture and this positioncorresponds to "2" of the dial key, and if the dial "2" is inputted, theregister function processing is started. Numeral 281c designates an hourregister function picture and this position corresponds to "3" of thedial key, and if the dial "3" is inputted, the hour register functionprocessing is started. Numeral 281d designates an indication ON/OFFfunction picture and this position corresponds to "4" of the dial key,and if the dial "4" is inputted, setting processing is started as towhether the indication in the screen is effective or not. Numeral 281edesignates a record indication function picture corresponding to "5" ofthe dial key, and if the dial "5" is inputted, the communication recordindication processing is started. Numeral 281f designates a function endpicture, which means stop the extended service function in the screen281, and in function of other stratum, it means the end of the stratumand reset of function at a forward stratum by one.

In FIG. 25B, numeral 282 designates a telephone directory functionscreen in which if the dial "1" is inputted in the extended servicefunction start screen 281, the telephone directory function processingis started and the telephone directory start screen is outputted on thescreen. In the telephone directory function screen 282, a telephonedirectory function stratum indication 282a, a telephone directory itemscreen 282b representing contents registered in the telephone directory,a cursor up picture 282c as a telephone directory function selectionpicture corresponding to the dial key "1", a cursor down picture 282dcorresponding to the dial key "4" an item selection picture 282ecorresponding to the dial key "3", a telephone directory function endpicture 282f corresponding to the dial key "6" and a cursor 282g areindicated Numeral 282h designates an ineffective picture which may beneglected since there is no function corresponding to the key input. Thecursor 282g is moved up and down by input of the dial keys "1" and "4"and if the dial key "1" is inputted with the cursor being at the highestline of 282b, the whole item is rolled up and next item is indicated.Also if the dial key "4" is inputted with the cursor 282g being at thelowest line of 282b, the item is rolled down and next item is indicated.In the screen 282, if the cursor 282g is moved by the dial keys "1" and"4" and the item is selected by 282e, the telephone directory registercontent indication processing is started and a telephone directoryregister content indication screen 283 is indicated as shown in FIG.25C.

In the screen 283, a telephone directory function stratum indication283a, a register content detail indication 283b, a register functionpicture 283C corresponding to the dial key "2", a dial function picture283d corresponding to the dial key "3", and a telephone directory detailindication end picture 283e are indicated. In the screen 283, if thedial key "3" is inputted and the dialing function is selected, the calloriginating processing is started and the call originating operation bythe telephone number being registered is started. The extended servicefunction is finished in order not to prevent the call originatingprocessing.

If the dial key "2" is inputted in the screen 281 and the registerfunction is selected, the television telephone register processing isstarted and a television telephone register screen 284 is indicated asshown in FIG. 25D. In the screen 284, a television telephone registerfunction stratum indication 284a, a register item indication 284b, acursor up picture 284c as a television telephone register functionselection picture corresponding to the dial key "1", a cursor downpicture 284d corresponding to the dial key "4", a register contentchange picture 284e corresponding to the dial key "3", a televisiontelephone function end picture 284f corresponding to the dial key "6",and a cursor 284g are indicated. The pictures 284c and 284d actsimilarly to the pictures 282c and 282d. If the dial key "3" is inputtedand the register content change processing is started, next proposeditem succeeding the registered item is registered and indicated on thescreen. Indication of the register contents is carried out cyclically bythe number of proposed items. If the call incoming is received at thescreen 284, a call incoming advice 284g is indicated on the extendedfunction advice indication area.

FIG. 26 shows the arrangement of a television telephone key input unit.The television telephone key input unit is constituted by keys installedat a conventional telephone with extended function, such as a cancel key291a, a speaker key 291b, a reduction key 291c, a redial key 291d, ahold key 291e, a call originating key 291f and dial keys 291g to 291r,and additive keys required in a television telephone, such as a voicechange key 292a requesting changing of voice inputs, a voice inputindication LED 293a, a picture change key 292b requesting changing ofpicture inputs, a picture input indication LED 293b, a high picturequality key 292c changing encoding mode of inputted picture signals, anencoding mode indication LED 293c, a freeze key 292d requesting fixingof transmitted pictures, an LED 293d indicating the fixed state oftransmitted picture, a picture key 292e requesting transmission ofpictures, a picture mode indication LED 293e, an extended service startkey 292f starting extended service function and a monitor key 292grequesting indication of the monitor screen, and a power sourceindication LED 293f and a call incoming indication LED 293g. Keyscorresponding to the key correspondence picture indication area are thedial keys 291g to 291l.

FIG. 27 shows key input allotting processing executed in the televisiontelephone control unit 223c. If the key input is detected in thetelephone control unit 223e, it is informed to the television controlunit 223c and the key input allotting processing is started. In the keyinput allotting processing, the key information being informed is read,and the key input effectiveness decision processing (2101) is carriedout and it is checked whether the key information is effective or not.When the key information is effective, the picture correspondence keydecision processing (2106) caries out decision as to whether the keyinformation corresponds to pictures or not. When the key informationcorresponds to pictures, according to the extended service start stateand the extended service operation mode, the extended service functioninput information is allotted to the key information. (2103, 2104, 2105,2106)

FIG. 28 shows key input processing to execute processing correspondingto the allotted key information. The key information is subjected to theprocessing required by respective information in the input decisionprocessing (2111). When the key information is the extended servicestart key, the extended service function start key processing (2112) isexecuted, and according to the extended service function start state andthe operation state of the television telephone, starting or stopping ofthe extended service function or neglecting of the input information isexecuted. (2112a, 2112b, 2112c, 2112d). When the key information is thetelevision telephone register key information of the extended servicefunction allotted by the picture correspondence key allotting processing(2105), the start state of the extended service function is checked andthe television telephone register processing is started (2113). At thetime of starting the call originating processing 2114 and the callincoming processing 2115, the start state of the extended servicefunction is checked. If the extended service function is started, theextended service stopping processing is carried out compulsorily therebythe indication area is utilized in the time dividing.

FIG. 29 shows the start, stop and processing execution limitationconditions of the executed service function according to the operationstate of the television telephone. As shown in FIG. 29, when thetelevision telephone is in the call connection processing and in thecall disconnect processing, since start of the extended service functionand continuation of the processing are also limited, the indication ofoperation guidance, input confirmation and advice being generated in theoperation of the television telephone and the indication of extendedservice function can be prevented from being overlaid then.

FIG. 30 shows processing corresponding to a picture key. Registration asto whether the sending mode of pictures is automatic or manual andchanging in every transmission and request of the manual sending ofpictures at the time of manual picture sending mode are realized.Numeral 2131 designates a register picture sending mode register whichregisters the picture sending mode at the time of starting the normalcommunication in the television telephone register function of theextended service function. Numeral 2132 designates a picture sendingmode register which can be actually used for decision of the picturesending. In the register 2132, the setting contents of the register 2131are set again by the call disconnect processing at the communicationend. A picture sending mode indication LED 2133 indicates contents Ofthe register 2132. Numeral 2134 designates picture key input processingexecuted after the input decision in the key input processing, and ifthe picture key is inputted, the television telephone is incommunication with a terminal which can receive pictures, and decisionis effected by 2134a as to whether the present communication mode is inthe state to enable the picture sending or not. In the state to enablethe picture sending, decision is effected by 2134b as to whether thepictures are being transmitted or not. If the pictures are beingtransmitted, picture sending stop processing 2134c is executed, and thepicture sending mode register 2132 is set to manual operation and thepicture sending mode indication LED 2133 is put out (2134d, 2134e). Ifthe pictures are not being transmitted, picture sending processing 2134fis executed and the picture sending mode indication LRD 2133 is lit.(2134f, 2134g, 2134h).

In the state to disable the picture sending, the picture sending moderegister 2132 is read, and at the automatic mode; the manual mode is setto the picture sending mode register 2132 and the picture sending modeindication LED 2133 is put out. At the manual mode, the automatic modeis set to the picture sending mode register 2132 and the picture sendingmode indication LED 2133 is lit. (2134d, 2134e, 2134g, 2134i, 2134j,2134k, 2134l). In the television telephone communication modeestablishing processing, when the transition to the state to enable thepicture sending is detected, the picture sending mode register 2132 isread, and at the automatic mode, the picture sending processing isexecuted.

FIG. 31 shows hour/communication time indication processing. Thehour/communication time processing is executed every 100 ms by the timerinterrupt of the system, and the hour and the timer value are read fromthe timer circuit 23f, and the hour or the communication time (timervalue) is indicated at the right-upper side of the screen. In thehour/communication time indication processing, decision of thecommunication state is effected by the communication state decision2141. During no communication, the hour is read from the timer circuitand the indication is carried out in HH:MM form. Then the timer state ischecked, and if the timer is at the 0N state, it is turned off.(2141-2145) During the communication, if the timer is at ON state, thetimer value is read from the timer circuit 223f and indicated in form ofMM min SS sec. (146, 147, 148) If the timer is at the OFF state, thetimer value of the timer circuit 23f is cleared, and the restarting ofthe timer is set and 0 min 00 sec is indicated.

As above described, the registration as to whether the sending mode ofpictures is automatic or manual and changing of the sending mode inevery transmission and request processing of the manual sending ofpictures at the manual picture sending mode can be realized.

The present invention as described, provides the following effectsincluding that the picture apparatus section comprises a camera displayunit installed on the top side of the apparatus and coupled through asupport section (longitudinal side of L-shape) having a picture codecunit coupled to communication control unit installed on a bottom section(base section) forming the body and including a power supply unitintegrated therewith. Concerning the wirings in the apparatus, forexample, one multi-core (50 cores) cable between the picture codec unitand a communication control unit, one multi-core (25 cores) between thecommunication control unit and a key panel unit, one multi-core (fourcores) cable between the camera display unit and the picture codec unit,and cable wirings from the power source to the communication controlunit, the picture codec unit, the camera unit, the display unit arecarried out such that space-saving wiring is realized. Further,hindrance against the air flow in the inside space of the apparatus isreduced, and the air cooling effect is raised, and separation at thetime of system fault becomes easy since it is of small size and iseasily portable. Moreover, since the cables to be connected to theoutside from the body on account of a combination type may be only twocables, that is, a cord for communication lines and a cord for powersupply, the terminal apparatus is easily laid out on a desk and highconvenience of usage is obtained.

Additionally, according to the present invention, the manipulatabilityof the color moving picture television telephone terminal and thefunction extendibility cane be significantly improved, and theman-machine interface similar to that of a conventional telephone can beprovided. Also, the extended service function is made in stratums sothat the safety can be improved. Many keys or setting switches can beomitted and are easily extended whereby the economic property can beimproved. Further, a picture key having new functions is provided,whereby the intention of the user to send pictures can be reflectedaccurately and privacy can be protected.

While we have shown and described several embodiments in accordance withthe present invention, it is understood that the same is not limitedthereto but is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications asknown to those skilled in the art and we therefore do not wish to belimited to the details shown and described herein but intend to coverall such changes and modifications as are encompassed by the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A television telephone comprising:a movable headsection including image input means for inputting images and displaymeans for displaying images; a bottom section including communicationcontrol means for transmission and reception of encoded information ofat least one of audio and visual signals to and from a communicationnetwork, and telephone control means for controlling transmission andreception functions and including a key console unit; and a supportsection for connecting the bottom section and the movable head sectionand for supporting the movable head section, the support sectionincluding image encoder/decoder means for encoding image input signalsand for decoding received image signals.
 2. A television telephoneaccording to claim 1, wherein the movable head section, the bottomsection and the support section form an integrated construction.
 3. Atelevision telephone according to claim 1, wherein the support sectionextends transversely to the bottom section so that the televisiontelephone has an L-shaped configuration.
 4. A television telephoneaccording to claim 1, wherein the support section and movable headsection are arranged for removable coupling to the bottom section sothat the bottom section, when the support section and movable headsection are not coupled thereto, operates solely as a digital telephone.5. A television telephone according to claim 1, wherein thecommunication control means of the bottom section includes means formultiplexing of audio signals, visual signals and data signals fortransmission to the communication network and means for demultiplexingmultiplex received encoded information from the communication network.6. A television telephone according to claim 1, wherein the supportsection is provided with ventilation openings enabling naturalcirculation cooling of the image encoder/decoder means.
 7. A televisiontelephone according to claim 1, wherein the movable head section isconnected with the support section for enabling movement with respectthereto.
 8. A television telephone according to claim 7, wherein thesupport section is connectable with the bottom section and arranged formovement with respect thereto.
 9. A television telephone according toclaim 1, wherein the image input means of the movable head sectionincludes a camera unit for inputting moving picture images and stillpicture images including document and photographic images.
 10. Atelevision telephone according to claim 9, wherein the camera unitincludes means for positioning the camera unit so as to look downwardlyindependently of the position of the display means, the camera unit inthe looking downward position enabling inputting information ofdocuments.
 11. A television telephone according to claim 10, furthercomprising means responsive to the looking downward position of thecamera unit for automatically transforming the image inputted by thecamera unit in point symmetry rotated by 180° and for enablingtransmission of the transformed image signal for display.
 12. Atelevision telephone according to claim 10, wherein the bottom sectionincludes an upper surface for supporting documents thereon, the cameraunit in the looking downward position thereof enabling inputtinginformation of the documents supported on the bottom section.
 13. Atelevision telephone according to claim 1, wherein the display meansincludes means for enabling at least one of monitor display of imageinput signals and display of received image signals.
 14. A televisiontelephone according to claim 13, wherein the display means providescolor moving picture display.
 15. A television telephone according toclaim 13, wherein the display means includes a liquid crystal display.16. A television telephone according to claim 13, wherein the displaymeans includes simultaneous display of image input signals at oneportion of a screen thereof and received image signals at anotherportion thereof as a picture-in-picture display.
 17. A televisiontelephone according to claim 16, wherein the key console unit includes aplurality of keys, at least one of the keys enabling display.
 18. Atelevision telephone according to claim 13, further comprising means forproviding at least one of indication of guidance information oftelevision telephone operation, advice information and inputconfirmation indication for display on the display means.
 19. Atelevision telephone according to claim 18, wherein the indicationincludes icon and characteristic indication.
 20. A television telephoneaccording to claim 18, wherein the display means enable superposition ofat least one of the guidance information, advice information and inputconfirmation information in superposition on the image signal fordisplay.
 21. A television telephone according to claim 1, wherein themovable head section, bottom section, and support section are separateunits connectable to one another, the movable head section being movablewith respect to the support section.
 22. A television telephoneaccording to claim 21, wherein the image encoder/decoder means includesa picture codec unit.
 23. A television telephonecomprising:communication control means for transmitting and receivingdigital encoded information of at least one of audio signals, visualsignals and data signals to and from a communication network includingmeans for multiplexing the transmitted digital encoded information anddemultiplexing the received digital encoded information; internal audioand visual input/output means including visual input means for inputtingimages, display means for displaying images, and telephone control meansfor controlling transmission/reception functions thereof; externalinput/output terminal connection control means for enabling operation incooperation with external equipment including at least one of audio,visual and data equipment, the external input/output terminal connectioncontrol means being mounted on a rear surface of a bottom section of thetelevision telephone; and key operation selecting control means forcontrolling connection with the communication control means and foreffecting selective switching between the internal audio and visualinput/output means and the external input/output terminal connectioncontrol means; wherein the external input/output terminal connectioncontrol means includes a plurality of terminal connections which areintegrated on the rear surface of the bottom section of the televisiontelephone.
 24. A television telephone according to claim 23, wherein thekey operation selecting control means includes a key console unit havinga plurality of keys, respective ones of the keys enabling predeterminedswitching operations.
 25. A television telephone according to claim 24,wherein at least one of the keys of the key console unit controlsoutward transmission of the visual signal from the television telephone.26. A television telephone according to claim 23, wherein thecommunication control means is disposed in a bottom section togetherwith the external input/output terminal connection control means and thekey operation selecting control means, the visual input means and thedisplay means being disposed in a movable head section, and imageencoder/decoder means for encoding image input signals and for decodingreceived image signal being disposed in a support section connecting thebottom section and the movable head section.
 27. A television telephoneaccording to claim 26, wherein the bottom section, the support sectionand the movable head section are separate units connectable to oneanother, the movable head section being arranged for movement withrespect to the support section, and the image encoder/decoder meansdisposed in the support section including a picture codec unit.
 28. Atelevision telephone according to claim 23, wherein the plurality ofterminal connections of the external input/output terminal connectioncontrol means include a serial data input/output terminal connection anda parallel data input/output terminal mounted on the rear surface of thebottom section of the television telephone and disposed between asubstrate of the communication control means and a substrate of theinternal audio and visual input/output means.
 29. A television telephoneaccording to claim 28, wherein the plurality of terminal connections ofthe external input/output terminal connection control means furtherinclude a power input terminal connection, a voice input terminalconnection, a voice output terminal connection, an image input terminalconnection, an image output terminal connection and an interfaceterminal connection mounted on the rear surface of the bottom section ofthe television telephone and disposed between the substrate of thecommunication control means and the substrate of the internal audio andvisual input/output means.
 30. A television telephone comprising:imageinput means for inputting at least one of a moving picture image and astill picture image; display means for displaying image signals;communication control means for transmitting and receiving encodedinformation of audio and visual signals in a plurality of transmissionmodes to and from a communication network, the communication controlmeans including means for multiplexing the encoded information and fordemultiplexing the received encoded information; telephone control meansfor controlling the transmission/reception functions and including a keyconsole unit; image encoding/decoding means including an image encodercircuit for encoding image input signals and an image decoder circuitfor decoding received image signals; and mode control means for enablingtransmitted and received images in a predetermined transmission ofimages of at least one of moving picture, animation, still pictures,photographs and drawings, the mode control means providing positionresponsive attitude control for the image input means for enablingtransformation of an inputted image in point symmetry rotated by 180° bycontrolling a direction of read out of the input image signals from aframe memory and transmission of the transformed image and beingresponsive to key operation of the key console unit.
 31. A televisiontelephone according to claim 30, wherein the key console unit includes aplurality of keys, respective ones of the keys enabling predeterminedoperations.
 32. A television telephone according to claim 31, wherein atleast one of the keys of the key console unit controls outwardtransmission of the visual signal from the television telephone.
 33. Atelevision telephone according to claim 30, wherein the communicationcontrol means is disposed in a bottom section together with thetelephone control means and mode control means, the image input meansand the display means being disposed in a movable head section, and theimage encoding/decoding means being disposed in a support sectionconnecting the bottom section and the movable head section.
 34. Atelevision telephone according to claim 33, wherein the bottom section,the support section and the movable head section are separate unitconnectable to one another, the movable head section being arranged formovement with respect to the support section, and the imageencoder/decoder means disposed in the support section including apicture codec unit.
 35. A television telephone according to claim 30,wherein the display means is responsive to the transformed image fordisplaying the transformed image for monitoring purposes as apicture-in-picture on a display screen thereof.
 36. A televisiontelephone comprising:image input means for inputting at least one of amoving picture image and still picture image; display means fordisplaying image signals on at least one of a plurality of screens suchthat different images from respective ones of the screens are enabled tobe viewed in at least one different portions of a viewable screen and insuperposed relation on the viewable screen; communication control meansfor multiplexing encoded information of audio and visual signals indifferent communication modes and enabling transmission of the encodedinformation to a communication network and receipt of encodedinformation from the communication network, the communication controlmeans enabling demultiplexing of the received encoded information; imageencoding/decoding means including an image encoder circuit for encodingimage input signals and in image decoder circuit for decoding receivedimage signals; and image control means for enabling images inputtedthrough the image input means to be displayed for monitoring purposeswith respect to outgoing transmission images thereof on one of thescreens of the display means together with images received through theimage decoder circuit, the image control means enabling control ofoutgoing images for transmission and interruption thereof in response tokey operation of the key console unit, the image control means enablinginput images to be transformed in point symmetry rotated by 180° andtransmission of the transformed images so that the transformed imagesare displayed on the viewable screen of the display mean for monitoringpurposes as a picture-in-picture display.
 37. A television telephoneaccording to claim 36, wherein the key console unit includes a pluralityof keys, respective ones of the keys enabling predetermined operations.38. A television telephone according to claim 36, wherein thecommunication control means is disposed in a bottom section togetherwith a telephone control means and the image control means, the imageinput means and the display means being disposed in a movable headsection, and the image encoding/decoding means being disposed in asupport section connecting the bottom section and the movable headsection.
 39. A television telephone according to claim 38, wherein thebottom section, the support section and the movable head section areseparate unit connectable to one another, the movable head section beingarranged for movement with respect to the support section, and the imageencoder/decoder means disposed in the support section including apicture codec unit.
 40. A television telephone according to claim 36,wherein the image input means includes a frame memory for storing imagesignals written therein in a predetermined sequence, the image controlmeans enabling reading out of the image signals from the frame memory ina different sequence to the writing in predetermined sequence thereof soas to transform the images in point symmetry rotated by 180°.